RESIDENTS HONORED WITH REHAB AWARDS

Donald Pearson is not sure what he would have done if Burch Foods had not hired him after an accident left him with a head injury.

"They brought me back to work during a time where I couldn't do much physically," said Pearson, who lives in Sikeston. "They brought me back for what I could mentally. I don't know where I'd be without this company."

Pearson and Burch Foods were two who were honored Wednesday for their contribution to rehabilitation and their understanding of the physically disabled.

September 17-23 is National Rehabilitation Week, and rehabilitation workers at St. Francis Medical Center honored a group of people who have overcome physical disabilities or who have made the best of their time in rehabilitation.

The medical center will place photographs on its "Wall of Fame" of nine people who went through rehabilitation. Wall of Famers who were honored include: Elzie Brant of Scott City, Junior Dockins of Bell City, Richard Enderle of Chaffee, Troy Kiefer of Perryville, Lester Seyer of Oak Ridge, Robert Minton of Jackson, Larry Moon of Ste. Genevieve, Donald Pearson of Sikeston and Violet Laster of Sikeston.

The staff also recognized family members who supported loved ones who went through a rehabilitative process. Family members who were honored include: Charles Goforth, Mike and Bart Sutterer and Carla Cook.

In addition, the staff honored Victoria Pingel and Father Milton Ryan for advocating for improved services and increased opportunities for the disabled.

Also honored were Don and Darlene Bonney, Bob Owens, Edie Lowes and Barbara Rutherford for making significant contributions in the area of support services for the disabled.

Finally, Burch Foods and Dexter Public Schools were recognized for increasing public awareness of the physically disabled and the rehabilitation process.

Glen Francis was an elementary physical education teacher at Dexter when he had a stroke in April 1999.

He said that even though his doctor believed teaching full-time would be too hard on him, his boss, Ray Dowdy, gave him the option of teaching two days a week and retiring with full benefits at the end of the year.

"It is my hope that everyone who has a disability could have a boss that has the compassion, kindness and understanding that Dr. Dowdy had," Francis said as he presented Dowdy with a certificate.

Dowdy said Francis' positive attitude makes a huge difference.

"Glen and I were more than just colleagues in teaching. We were friends," Dowdy said. "Every time you see him, you see a smile and a positive attitude. Glen's an inspiration to me."